Episode 14 - "The Trial of Silverhands" - 9.11.22
The morning of the trial brings renewed energy and healing to the party, and after a quick breakfast and debriefing on the options for the day, the group minus Furret decides to head to the temple and then the marketplace in hopes of locating legal counsel. They seek the advice of Geoff the Courier, who greets them with a letter from Roel, claiming he plans to continue his investigation of the missing Cleaborn, and a letter from Rowan's sister. Geoff recommends finding Marina, a Court Mage in the townhall, for legal advice. Before seeking an audience with her, Rowan makes two separate visits with the "hot tattooed half-orc" Blacksmith Meera to purchase letter paper and ask for advice on locating the local family that owns Mastiffs. She shares that a local dwarven farmer by the name of Hilna Gleanbeam who lives in the southern region of town raises a pack of dogs. While Dorugul mocks Rowan's flirting attempts, the three others seek entry into the courtroom to speak with Marina. They are turned away by lower Court Mages who guard the entrance from disruptions while court is in session; however, they learn that Marina is unavailable as she is the Court Mage presiding over the Plaintiff's case today. Reunited in the courtyard outside of the townhall, the group volunteer Talik to watch all their gear in a nearby tree since no weapons on magical items are allowed in the courtroom. Once inside, Rowan moves to speak with Falconmoon while the others find seats. Falconmoon shares that he was able to have Linan Swift, the woman that the party saved from cultists, and Hilna Gleanbeam and her grandson Donny, the family who owns the mastiffs, appear today for character witnesses. Rowan greets Hilna Gleanbeam, who in-turn thanks him for helping keep her pets safe. The trial begins with Brodan slipping into the courtroom at the last minute, sweating and appearing as if he went through a recent scuffle. Furret is escorted in from a back chamber with only half a moustache remaining and large holes chewed at the bottom of his long shirt. The group sees Nighthill presiding as judge, Escobert, the Stablemaster, and Guard Hagan at the witness table, as well as both Hortence Tibaut and Alisander Yeoman sitting with the jury. Without any formal legal options, Dorugul volunteers to represent Furret in the trial, and Marina, the Sr. Court Mage, begins the prosecution with witness testimonies from Nighthill, Escobert, the Stablemaster, Guard Hagan, Dorugul, and the interrogated Cultist. Dorugul denies the false statements provided by the Cultist and argues for lenience in Furret's sentencing given his heroic actions during the cultist raid. Dorugul brings forward character witness testimonies from Sgt. Brodan and Hilna Gleanbeam. While the jury recesses to discuss the verdict, Riggie and Drift notice an individual in dark robes standing in the locked balcony observer. This information is shared with Sgt. Broad who then makes his way to the balcony. The jury returns and convicts Furret of theft; however, they do not find sufficient evidence to prove that he colluded with the missing prisoner. Nighthill sentences Furret to a 1000 GP fine and one tenday week of community service. As the trial concludes, Nighthill approaches Furret to make amends; however, Furret is quick to threaten the governor with knowledge of his involvement with drug trafficking. Dorugul escorts Furret out of the courtroom by the cuff of his neck, while the rest of the group overhears a yell as the cloaked figure stabs Brodan in the stomach. Rowan yells to Dorugul to fetch Talik and their weapons, while the remaining party members attempt to spellcast in aid of Brodan. The cloaked figure, now revealed to be Gias, begins making his exit by breaking through the window to the courtyard below. Dorugul and Furret return with the group's weapons, allowing Drift and Talik to coordinate paralysis and knocking blows to stop Gias' escape… |